Stomach Flu Duration

Stomach Flu Duration: A Summary

The stomach flu duration will depend on the virus a person is infected with (see Types of Stomach Flu Viruses). In general, the stomach flu duration is anywhere from 1 to 10 days.

 

Stomach Flu Duration for Rotavirus Infections

Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and young children. The watery diarrhea can be mild to severe. The stomach flu duration for a rotavirus infection is generally 3 to 9 days.

 

Severe diarrhea from rotavirus gastroenteritis can lead to a dangerous depletion of body fluids called dehydration, which can result in death if untreated. Virtually all children become infected with rotavirus in the first 3 to 5 years of life, but severe diarrhea and dehydration occur mainly among children aged 3 months to 35 months.

 

Stomach Flu Duration for Norovirus Infections

Noroviruses (including Norwalk virus) account for approximately 50 percent of all stomach flu cases caused by contaminated food. The stomach flu duration for a norovirus infection is normally 1 to 2 days. Norovirus gastroenteritis is usually not serious, although people may feel very sick and vomit many times a day.